In political news, Australia seems set to make a "turn to the right" in the upcoming national elections. If this indeed happens then the current opposition leader, the anti-marriage equality Tony Abbott, will become prime minister. Abbot, who has been called a "socially conservative Catholic," is the leader of the Australian Liberal Party (the country's conservative party), which is poised to topple the ruling Labor Party.

Finally, in Catholic Church news, a prominent Australian priest and legal scholar is urging Catholic leaders to drop the "unhelpful, judgmental language of intrinsic and objective disorder" when discussing gay and lesbian people and issues.

Hey, that's two good news items out of three!

I'm going to focus today on the second good news item, that being the call by Frank Brennan, SJ (right) for Catholic leaders to dispense with the language of "intrinsic and objective disorder" when talking about homosexuality.

The language of “disorder” is philosophical language. It is not intended to mean medical or psychological disorder, but that is how the overwhelming majority of people hear it. Because of that misunderstanding, it should definitely and immediately be stricken from church discourse. It is a term that was applied to discussions of homosexuality by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who became Pope Benedict XVI. As pope, he used it as the basis for his discussions of any issue related to gay and lesbian people.

Pope Francis has already indicated that he will be moving the discussion of homosexuality away from the “disorder” language. Let’s hope that his papacy will banish this term from Catholic discussions.

So what language could be used instead? Here's what Fr. Brennan suggests:

Our theological starting point should be that we are all created in the image and likeness of God, whether we be gay or straight; that we are all called along the road to Jerusalem; and that the Lord’s purgative fire and promise of division is extended to us all in preparation for the invitation to the banquet where there is neither gay nor straight, and where each of us prays, ‘Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.’

I appreciate Brennan's "starting point," that we're all children of God, but I have to say I find it wearisome that in so many discussions on homosexuality, and often early on in these discussions, there's a reminder that we're all unworthy, that we're all sinners; that Jesus welcomed the "lost sheep," etc. Such an approach does nothing to challenge the notion that the sexual expression of one's homosexuality is at all times and in every situation a sin (a notion currently expressed in official church teaching). In fact, it could be read to support not only this notion but also the idea that homosexuality in and of itself is a sin (something that not even official church teaching supports).

Also, I get it that as humans we're all still very much on a journey to healing and wholeness, and that while we're on this journey we often mess-up or "miss the mark" (to use a metaphor for sin from the Desert Fathers). I get that, I really do. And I think most people get it. I think what's needed more than a reminder of our weaknesses and sinfulness is a lifting up – an honoring and celebrating – of all those gay lives, relationships, and families that are making progress and inspiring others on the journey, that are getting it right and living lives of compassion and integrity.

Offensive and erroneous

I applaud Fr. Brennan's call for respect in discussions about homosexuality, a call that advocates the dropping of the language of disorder. I understand it's a step – a first step, no doubt, for many in the hierarchy. However, many Catholics are well beyond asking the bishops to "play nice." Such Catholics are painfully aware that the whole basis for the bishops' understanding of homosexuality – indeed, sexuality in general – is so glaringly dysfunctional, and dangerous to the well-being of both individual lives and relationships that it's not enough to "banish" certain terminology. We also have to acknowledge that such terminology is both offensive and erroneous. We must not only demand and expect the dropping of such language but very forthrightly challenge the thinking behind it. Similarly, we cannot simply demand alternative language, but an authentic, truthful understanding of gay and lesbian lives, relationships, and families. Such an understanding will readily provide – does already provide – the corresponding authentic and truthful language that so many of us long to hear articulated from those who claim to be our leaders in matters of faith and morals.

I understand, of course, that many people can only do so much, given where they're at. And for folks like Frank Brennan who are within the church's clerical caste, well, they're undoubtedly under great pressure to "toe the party line." In addition, there are many perks and privileges to being in good standing within this system. Few priests are willing to jeopardize these. In short, I must constantly remind myself not to be harsh when it comes to those within this terribly oppressive and dysfunctional system; those who don't go as far as I would like them to. To his credit, Brennan does hint at going further, i.e., saying that the language of "intrinsic and objective disorder" is not only disrespectful but also erroneous. He writes, for instance, that:

Many people, including many Catholics and many homosexuals, find this language unhelpful and upsetting; they even contest its truthfulness.

Again, though, how sad that so many priests, even "celebrity priests" such as James Martin, SJ, who are well-known for their liberality of thought, can't just come out and say for themselves, "You know, this way that the Vatican has of talking about homosexuality and gay people's lives and relationships goes beyond being disrespectful, it's actually erroneous."

And of course, the logical (and more positive) pronouncement that would follow this would be: "We need to honor and support our LGBT brothers and sisters. We need to recognize and celebrate the reality that their lives, relationships and families can and do embody God's transforming love."

There are some notable examples of individual bishops and priests forthrightly challenging the Vatican's understanding of homosexuality and/or it's political involvement in issues such as same-sex civil marriage. Five that come to mind are Geoffrey Robinson, Thomas Gumbleton, Jose Raul Vera Lopez, Joseph O'Leary and Michael Tegeder. However, I think it's fair to say that it's up to the laity, those outside the clerical system, to unabashedly make these types of statements and thus take the next steps in our church's journey beyond respectful tolerance to celebratory acceptance of LGBT people.

Of course, there will probably always be some who, for whatever reason, will never choose to accept LGBT people and/or relationships. I acknowledge this sad reality. Perhaps from these folks, who, I believe it's true to say, are rapidly becoming a smaller and smaller minority in both the church and society, respectful tolerance is the most we can and should expect. I've come to realize that in most cases I'm not called to expend my time and energy in trying to move these people to a level of acceptance. I have to admit that once I've ascertained that someone believes that homosexuality is a choice or that it's an addiction like alcoholism, and/or that someone has made an idol out of the church's current teaching on sexuality by declaring that it can never change, then I usually opt to be on my way. I pray for them, to be sure. I pray that they may in time awaken to God's loving presence beyond their very limited way of thinking and seeing, that they may allow this presence to break through and expand their world. At this time I find that that's the most that I can do for these folks. To be honest, I'd much rather expend my time and energy engaging and planning and writing and celebrating with and for those who are open to the journey, to the onward call to seek and praise God in, as I like to say, unexpected faces and places!

I established The Wild Reed in 2006 as a sign of solidarity with all who are dedicated to living lives of integrity – though, in particular, with gay people seeking to be true to both the gift of their sexuality and their Catholic faith. The Wild Reed's original by-line read, "Thoughts and reflections from a progressive, gay, Catholic perspective." As you can see, it reads differently now. This is because my journey has, in many ways, taken me beyond, or perhaps better still, deeper into the realities that the words "progressive," "gay," and "Catholic" seek to describe.

Even though reeds can symbolize frailty, they may also represent the strength found in flexibility. Popular wisdom says that the green reed which bends in the wind is stronger than the mighty oak which breaks in a storm. Tall green reeds are associated with water, fertility, abundance, wealth, and rebirth. The sound of a reed pipe is often considered the voice of a soul pining for God or a lost love.

On September 24, 2012,Michael BaylyofCatholics for Marriage Equality MNwas interviewed by Suzanne Linton of Our World Today about same-sex relationships and why Catholics can vote 'no' on the proposed Minnesota anti-marriage equality amendment.

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